Bhuj Area Development Authority, which is well-known by its short name ‘BHADA’, was established after the disastrous earthquake of 26th January 2001, under section 22 of Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act 1976 on 9th May 2001 for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the city. During the short span of its establishment, i.e. 4 years, BHADA has taken up effective steps in the journey of development to achieve the well-determined vision to provide infrastructure facilities, new town planning of the earthquake affected city of Bhuj, rehabilitation of the earthquake affected people of the city at newly developed relocation sites and to make Bhuj a well planned city..
Formation
A resolution was taken in the cabinet meeting of 24th April 2001 calling for formation of new Area Development Authority for all the four towns. Thus Bhuj Area Development Authority came in force from 9th May 2001 vide Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, Gandhinagar notification no. GHV/76 of 2001/TPV-102001-1764-V under the Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act 1976 to recover and regulate development within its area of control. Its jurisdiction covers the total area of 5642.67 hectares comprising of Bhuj City and also includes nearby areas of Mirzapar & Madhapar villages.
Powers and Functions
As provided in Section 23 of the Gujarat Town Planning & Urban Development Act, 1976 the important functions of the authority are as under:
- to undertake the preparation of development plans under the provisions of this Act, for the urban development area;
- to undertake the preparation of town planning schemes under the provisions of this Act, if so directed by the State Government;
- to carry out surveys in the urban development area for the preparation of development plans or town planning schemes;
- to guide, direct and assist the local authority or authorities and other statutory authorities functioning in the urban development area in matters pertaining to the planning, development and use of urban land;
- to control the development activities in accordance with the development plan in the urban development area;
- to levy and collect such scrutiny fees for scrutiny of documents submitted to the appropriate authority for permission for development as may be prescribed by regulations;
- to execute works in connection with supply of water, disposal of sewerage and provision of other services and amenities;
- to levy and collect such fees for the execution of works referred to in clause (vi) and for provision of other services and amenities as may be prescribed by regulations;
- to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of property, movable or immovable, as it may deem necessary;
- to enter into contract, agreement or arrangements, with ‘any local authority, person or organization as the urban development authority may consider necessary for performing its functions.
- to carry any development works in the urban development area as may be assigned to it by the State Government from time to time;
- to exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as are supplemental, incidental or consequential to any of the foregoing powers and functions or as may be directed by the State Government.